What are the differences between Kanban and Scrum?

When it comes to agile project management frameworks, Kanban and Scrum are two popular choices. While both aim to improve team efficiency and increase project delivery speed, they have distinct differences that cater to varying project needs.

Kanban

Kanban is a visual project management technique that focuses on continuous delivery, limiting work in progress, and optimizing workflow efficiency. It provides a flexible approach that allows for changes to be made quickly without disrupting the project flow. Kanban is ideal for teams that have unpredictable workloads, as it gives a real-time view of project progress.

Scrum

Scrum, on the other hand, is a more structured framework with defined roles, events, and artifacts. It works on the basis of fixed-length iterations called sprints, which typically last 1-4 weeks. Scrum provides a clear roadmap for the project and requires dedicated team commitment to the set roles and responsibilities.

Main Differences

• Roles: Kanban does not have defined roles, while Scrum has specific roles like Scrum Master and Product Owner.
• Iterations: Kanban is continuous, while Scrum works in fixed-length sprints.
• Flexibility: Kanban is more flexible and allows for changes at any time, whereas Scrum requires changes to be made at the beginning of a sprint.

Choosing between Kanban and Scrum depends on your team's work style, project requirements, and the level of structure needed for the project. Understanding the key differences can help you decide which agile framework is the best fit for your team and projects.